A Plea to an American Patriot

Master Thomas Paine!
Attention Sir...Please forgive me for pleading my case at the foot of your grave.
You have slept for quite some time, albeit restlessly I imagine,
While your treasure of "Common Sense"
was apparently put to rest as well.

Some of our fellow citizens have lost their own ideas again,
and again and again.
Okay, probably quite a few times since the later part of
the 18th Century.
They eat what they've been fed
and their bellies swell not from starvation,
but from consumption.
Pregnant with the devil.

Did we get it right the First time?
And how about the 26th time?
Still more to go I see,
While we Plead the Fifth?
Ignorance.
Yes Master Paine,
Let us plead Ignorance, if you will.
It allows us a shred of dignity to cover our disgraceful loins
before we actually have to surrender
to the dregs of a most horrible offense;
Stupidity.

Yes, please allow us this...